Zagwe dynasty

The Zagwe dynasty (900-1270) was a dynasty of Abyssinia that took power in 900, destroying Abyssinia and dethroning the House of Solomon. The Zagwe would rule over Abyssinia until their last ruler, Za-Ilmaknun, was killed by Yekuno Amlak, who restored the Solomonic dynasty.

History
The Zagwe dynasty's name comes from the Agaw people, literally meaning the "Agaw dynasty" (ze-agaw in Ge'ez). In 900 the Zagwe overthrew King Dil Na'od of Abyssinia and dethroned the House of Solomon, becoming the new ruling dynasty of Abyssinia. A house of Miaphysite Christians, the Zagwe later mixed with the Solomonids when Mara Takla Haymanot married a daughter of Dil Na'od, and the dynasty became the permanent one for almost 400 years.

The Zagwe bordered the Muslim Shirazid Emirate and County of Assab, the Jewish Kingdom of Aksum, and the Nubian Christian Hayya, Meroe, and other small chiefdoms. During the reign of Yemrehana Krestos of Abyssinia (known as "the Wise"), the Zagwe campaigned against Assab, and his son Kedus Harbe of Abyssinia would fight against Axum and conquer Assab for himself, becoming a great leader. However, Axum systematically chipped away at the Zagwe dynasty's lands, taking over much of their holdings on the Red Sea coast as well as moving inland towards the Ethiopian heartland.

Rulers of the Zagwe line would continue to lead Abyssinia until 1270, when Emperor Yekuno Amlak of the House of Solomon would slay their king in battle. The Solomonids regained power, and the Zagwe usurpers were finally overthrown, as Dil Na'od's descendants reclaimed their birthrights.